Odisha restricts fishing

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has imposed a seven-month ban on fishing along the coast to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles as they arrive during winter for nesting. The ban has been imposed with from November 1 and it will remain effective till May 31, 2018.

The endangered Olive Ridley turtles arrive every year during winter for mass nesting in Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapara district. After mating on the coast, they lay eggs in March. Hatchlings from eggs emerge in May.

The forest department has imposed the restriction to ensure that the fishermen don’t fish within 20 km off the coastline in the turtle nesting sites. “We have imposed restrictions on fishing in Gahiramatha marine sanctuary and Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district, which are prime feeding areas for sea turtles. Trawlers and boats have been directed not to float within 20 km off the coastline in the area,” said principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF-Wildlife) Sandeep Tripathy.